Fast Track to the Olympics | Documentary Idea

It has been said that around 70% of the UK population believe that if you train in a sport every single day for a year, you would be good enough at whatever sport you chose to compete in the Olympics.

This documentary follows the filmmaker on his quest to find out whether this is true. At 21, he is old in terms of starting a sporting career and would assess whether it is possible to start 8 or more years late and still be in with a chance. It will begin with talks with professionals within the chosen sport and will involve a full medical and a measured 'test' to monitor improvement over the year.

It will show the struggles athletes go to to be the best at what they do - strict diets, hard training, early mornings, injuries - and hopefully shed light on some 'closed-off' areas of the sporting world. Ultimately, it will aim to answer the question: Is it possible to qualify for the Olympics after training for just a year?

Comments for Fast Track to the Olympics | Documentary Idea

Hey Eddy.. is this something you're planning to do yourself or is it simply a suggestion for someone else?

Oct 23, 2013Rating

Thanksby: Eddy

Hi, it was something I am considering doing myself. Because of the level of commitment involved I just wanted to gauge an idea of whether people would be interested. If I invested a whole year to training in a sport, for it to fall flat and have nobody take it up would seem like a waste.

Oct 23, 2013Rating

follow your passionby: Desktop Documentaries (Faith)

Ultimately, this is a very personal decision. You have to decide if this idea excites you enough to stick with this experiment for a year. If you are doing it for external reasons (because OTHERS think it's a great idea), you may not make it through the full experiment. But if you are truly doing it to transform your own life.. because YOU are truly passionate about this idea, that's what's going to get you through to the end. Your commitment to seeing this through is what will captivate people.

There are no guarantees in life (and certainly not in filmmaking). So if this is something that intrigues you and inspires you, go for it and let the audience reaction take care of itself.

Your idea reminds me of the hit documentary Fat Sick & Nearly Dead where an Australia businessman had a camera crew follow him through a 60-day juicing-diet experiment.

I also recommend this article to help you decide whether or not to move forward:

I just wanted to say that I think your website is amazing . I am a beginner with an idea, and the info and articles on your website are easy to understand and answer many questions I have. I can not wait to start filming!

- Sarah (Sydney, Australia)

I am a professional filmmaker, and I applaud this site for detailing the ABC's of documentary filmmaking. It serves as my own checklist as I continue making my own movies ... Thanks!